- Sermon Notes
- Scripture
He Can Handle It
Matthew 6:25-34
Intro: In good hands.
With so much to think about, it is often easy to let preparedness or good planning, turn into concern and worry. In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus began talking
about the importance of living for an audience of one, in the things we do, say, and pray. We looked last week at the perspective Jesus would have
his followers pursue regarding treasures on earth in light of eternity. His call is to store up treasures in heaven, understand what will truly last,
rather than on earth’s temporary treasures that are so easily destroyed or taken away.
As He continues, Jesus directs our attention away from the worry we carry and toward His ability to handle the very necessities of life. Whatever circumstance
you are facing today, He can handle it!
Read: Matthew 6:25-34
This section begins with “for this reason,” other translations begin with “therefore I tell you.” Anytime we see the word therefore, we can ask the question,
what is it there for?
It is referring to the previous verses in this chapter, all of which center on the importance of placing our priority on living for Jesus, rather than
earthly treasure or praise. We can keep our eyes fixed and focused on Him, placing our treasure there and trusting that He who provides the birds with
all they need, will certainly provide for you.
I. Do Not be Worried
Matthew 6:24, For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more that food, and body more than clothing?
- Jesus begins by saying, do not worry about the necessities of your life.
- The command, “do not be worried,” in the Greek, includes the idea of stopping what is already being done.
- Jesus says, do not be worried about your life, which includes any type of worry. While He follows with talking about the needs of our life, this statement
encompasses all of the things we can worry about in this life.
- To worry, is to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts. The word worry comes from Middle and Old English terminology that means to
strangle, bite, or harass.
- Essentially if you are worried about your life, it is only serving to bind you up.
John 8:36, If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Illus. Stuck in a fog.
- When it comes to worry, it starts with something little, but when we have more questions than answers, the worry begins to become greater.
- There is much we can look towards, or set our minds on, but Jesus is saying that our priority should remain on eternal things because life is much
more than food and clothing. - While we can easily become preoccupied with worry about tomorrow, or what it might hold, the Lord will supply our every need. He will work it all out.
- Jesus continues by giving illustrations that point us away from worry and toward trusting the Lord to provide what we need.
- First, He points to the birds.
- Like every creature in all creation, God has given life to birds, provides for the birds, and He takes care of them.
- While the bird may have been worried about a predator, it certainly was not staying up all night worrying. Certainly, they work for their food, but
they always find what they need and the Lord provides. - He also points us to the lilies of the field.
- Referring to clothing, Jesus uses flowers as a model.
- In Jesus’ day it was not uncommon to have one set of clothing. With one set of clothing, which is needed, certainly a person could worry about their
clothes and if what they had was lost, how would they get more. - Even Solomon, one of the most glorious kings the world has even known did not look as good as one of them.
- What we see, is that the flowers and grass of the field are both beautifully clothed, yet they are alive today and tomorrow, thrown in a clay oven
to make fuel for a fire…Today they are thrown into the yard debris. - Regarding birds: No bird is created in God’s image, birds are not heirs and co-heirs with Christ, given the promise of eternal life, nor do they have
a place prepared for them in heaven. - If the Lord provides for the birds, He will surely provide for you whom He has promised a hope and future.
- If God brings about beautiful but short-lived flowers, how much more is He going to care for and clothe His children who are destined for eternal life?
- Who can add a single hour? Nobody. In fact, a person can worry themselves to death, but not to life.
- Jesus tells us not to worry about the needs, that God promises to supply. We have to trust that He will make a way.
- Whatever you are facing, He can handle it, you can trust in Him to provide without fear, anxiety or worry.
- To be anxious and worried about these things shows little faith and Jesus calls it out.
- There are four other times Jesus uses the phrase “you of little faith,” and in every case it had to do with worry, clothing, or life span (Matt.
8:26; 14:31; 16:8; Luke 12:28). - To make the focus of our lives worry and doubt about food and clothing is to show little faith in God’s ability to supply.
- We must have the faith and trust in our Lord, not simply with our eternal destiny, but with our needs. We trust Him to provide what we need both
now, and for all eternity. - Paul says I know Who I believe, not what I believe. What will get you through the darkest times is knowing not what you believe, but Who.
- Jesus says, don’t worry about what you will eat, drink, or wear for clothing. This is how those who don’t know God’s care for them live.
- He will guard your life, He knows what you need, and will provide.
- What does this mean? It means to put God’s will and rule in your life first and all these things will be added unto you…You don’t have to worry,
He can handle it. - I don’t need to worry about tomorrow and what it will bring, I simply need to trust Him today.
- We have grace, for tomorrow and each day that follows, all the way to eternity. But the grace He will give, His compassions that do not fail, the lovingkindness
for tomorrow, He does not give us today, His grace will be sufficient tomorrow. - His grace is needed and given, one day at a time. Trust Him with tomorrow, rely on Him today, He can handle it.
Matthew 14:29-30, And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, Lord save me!
Illus. There’s more to this than entertainment!
A. Trust God to Provide
Matthew 6:26, Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
Illus. A worried bird.
Matthew 6:28-30, And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?
Illus. MSN Money.
Are you not worth much more than the birds? (vs. 26)
Will He not much more clothe you? (vs. 30)
And who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (vs. 27)
Dr. Charles Mayo: Worry affects the circulation and the whole nervous system. I’ve never known a man who died from overwork, but I’ve known many who have died of worry.
Illus. 10% increase, year over year.
Illus. A den of lions?
Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Timothy 1:12, For I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
Illus. Want to try a trust fall?
Philippians 4:19, And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
B. Cast your cares on Him
Matthew 6:24, But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. So, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Lamentations 3:22-23, The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
1 Peter 5:7, Casting all your anxieties upon Him because He cares for you.
Matthew 6:25-34
as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow,
nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of
you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of
the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of
these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do
not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek
all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and
all these things will be added to you.